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Effect of Colostrum on the Vitamin A and Carotene Content of Blood Plasma of New-Born Calves^*

Department of Dairy Husbandry, University of Maryland

ABSTRACT

1. The vitamin A content of the blood plasma of dairy calves at birth was low but at the end of 24 hours usually showed about a 5-fold increase with the intake of colostrum.
   
2. Maximal vitamin A and carotene values were attained at about three days of age after which there was a gradual decline.
   
3. There was no marked difference between breeds in the vitamin A content of the blood plasma at comparable ages; however, the carotene content of the blood plasma of the Jersey and Guernsey breeds was three to four times higher than for the Holstein breed.
   
4. In three cases neither the plasma vitamin A nor carotene values showed an increase even though the calves apparently consumed the colostrum. These calves died from infection. In three cases where the colostrum was withheld and whole milk was fed, the plasma vitamin A and carotene content showed very little increase. Two of these calves died of infection.
   
5. The plasma vitamin A and carotene values did not reach the maximum values where the calves were removed at 12 and 24 hours after birth.
   
6. The intake of colostrum probably gives the calf a chance to build up a considerable reserve of vitamin A in the liver. If the calf does not receive the colostrum, that reserve is not built up and may have considerable to do with the health of the calf during the first two months.
   

^* Scientific Paper No. A79, Contribution 1935 of the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station (Department of Dairy Husbandry).

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. H. WISE, M. J. CALDWELL, and J. S. HUGHES The Effect of the Prepartum Diet of the Cow on the Vitamin A Reserves of Her Newborn Offspring Science, May 17, 1946; 103(2681): 616 - 618. [Abstract] [PDF]